FIVE thousand runners pounded the streets of York today in the city's 10th annual 10K race in glorious - if a little too warm - weather.

With temperatures soaring towards the 20s, runners were repeatedly advised before the race started to take advantage of free bottles of water provided at three points along the course to ensure they did not become dehydrated.

Elite wheelchair athlete Bret Crossley was first across the line in 28 minutes, 8 seconds, with Jamie Rutherford the first runner to finish, in 32 minutes, 51. and Jake Callis next in 33 minutes.

In fifth place was Stuart Farmer, a friend of the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Orrell, who started the race and presented certificates afterwards.

The first woman home was Julie Briscoe in 35 minutes, 55 seconds, with Maggie Skinner second in 37 minutes, 43 seconds.

Huge crowds cheered on the runners along the course, which started at Knavesmire and took a course along Bishopthorpe Road, Nunnery Lane, Micklegate, and then through Bishophill and the city centre, past the Minster, and then back to Knavesmire along the riverside via New Walk and across the Millennium Bridge and then round the back of York Racecourse.

The heat appeared to prove too much for at least one runner, who was tended to as he sat slumped against a bollard in the middle of Bishopthorpe Road.

The race is set to have raised £2.5 million for charity since it was launched a decade ago as part of the legacy of Jane Tomlinson, who raised almost £2m for charity after being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Runners' shirts revealed they were backing a huge range of charities, including the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Macmillan Cancer Support, Candlelighters, York Mind, Martin House Hospice and St Leonard’s Hospice.

There were the usual comedy costumes, including an elephant, Spiderman, ScoobyDoo and a couple of fairies, complete with wings.

After the adults' race came an Arena Group Mini and Junior Run in which children aged three to 14 were able to compete.